Ramapo bloc vote does indeed exist

Nov. 1, 2011

Criticism of Rockland County sheriff candidate Tim O'Neill for citing the Ramapo bloc's use of controlled voting is totally disingenuous. First of all, any longtime politician knows that every candidate "courts" every interest group; that's how you get votes.

However, each group votes as individuals, free to express his or her own choice. That they will lean in the direction of their particular interests is a given, but each mark on the ballot is an individual decision.

Mr. Colman also remembers, I'm sure, that the only reason O'Neill brought up the bloc vote in the last election was the illegal transfer from Pennsylvania of a prisoner from that community.

Mr. Colman's explanation of the bloc votes behavior merely attests to its existence. And how sad that is for all of us.